Brazil 1-0 Ecuador
Thursday, 5 July 2007 08:59Brazil will face Chile in the quarter-finals of the Copa America after a narrow victory over Ecuador saw them finish second in Group B.
Robinho scored the game's only goal from the spot after 55 minutes as Dunga's side eventually saw off their winless opponents in an entertaining game in Puerto La Cruz.
The result also eliminates the USA and Colombia, who meet tomorrow in their final Group C game, as neither side can now overhaul Uruguay, who claimed the second-best third-place record thanks to the result.
Brazil had the better of the first half but it was Ecuador who threatened first as Felix Borja headed Walter Ayovi's cross over the bar after 14 minutes before a weak header by Brazil striker Julio Baptista was held by keeper Marcelo Elizaga.
The Ecuador stopper then did really well to deny Vagner Love after the Brazilian got on the end of Gilberto Silva's ball.
Robinho produced an unsuccessful attempt after combining well with Alex before Brazil keeper Doni was called into action to deal with a long-range strike from Cristian Benitez with 30 minutes gone.
Four minutes later Elizaga denied Robinho and Vagner Love in quick succession before Doni almost gifted Ecuador the opener as he came charging out of his box and Borja took the ball around the keeper before firing wide.
Ten minutes after the break, however, Robinho opened the scoring when he was brought down in the box before dusting himself off to convert the resulting penalty.
That seemed to deflate the Ecuadorians and they were unable to threaten the Brazilians for the rest of the encounter.
Robinho was inches away from nodding in a second for Brazil from Wagner Love's cross as Ecuador were eliminated having conceded six goals in three games.
